Quinny Strollers on steps and slopes

M

mamamei

Registered User
Am slowly and painfully narrowing down my choice of strollers and would love to hear some feedback on how a Quinny Zapp handles steps and slopes both as a maxi-cosi capsule 'on legs' for a newborn and as an upright stroller. Thanks!
 
Haven't used it with the maxicosi, but imagine it would be the same. Basically it's fine, though there's not much suspension, but I did manage to break off the cover of the brake pedal coming down some steps the other day...the wheels are not quite big enough to roll down the steps without catching the pedals. This aside, we love it, easy to manoeuver, light to carry, easily stows in boot of taxi. Only down side for us is that it takes 2 hands to collapse, unfold.
 
Thanks for your comments, tonilee and bumblebzz -- I seem to be having the hardest time making a decision on strollers. None of them seem to do everything you would want it to!
 
I have a Quinny Buzz and I couldn't be happier with it. It takes one simple step to fold, although you do need a little force, and its amazing to unfold, just one tap with your foot or hand and it springs up by itself. I choose it over the Zapp cause it reclines in 3 positions. The only down side is that it is a bit big when holded and a little heavy. Also easy to maneouver. I am more than happy with it ! Good luck. Look at the reviews on the internet and best of all is go to the shops and try them out. Remember though there is no perfect push chair that has it all !!!!!
 
Coco, I *really* wanted the Quinny Buzz but when it all came down to it, I just couldn't lift it on my own! I am very petite (or 'weedy' as my husband charmingly puts it) so in the end, I think I'll go for the Zapp plus a MaxiCosi carseat for when the baby is newborn and then buy a lightweight reclining stroller like the Maclaren Quest once Baby is too big to fit into the carseat.

Would have loved a proper travel system that saves me buying another stroller further down the line, but I just couldn't find anything that was the right weight that didn't feel 'plasticky' or anything more sturdy that I could actually handle on my own. Other moms have this problem too?
 
Hi Mammamei,

Don't worry you are not alone, I am having exactly the same dilemma. The Quinny Zapp isn't perfect for what I want, but seems to be closest to it. The lack of shoping storage and non reclining seat, are it's drawbacks.

I had my heart set on the Bugaboo and then the Buzz, but they are just too huge for me. Not just to carry if I'm going up and down stairs, but also I will not have a car and can't imagine myself on the footpath trying to get into a taxi with either of those.
I also travel a lot, and both of those would be a lot more difficult on the plane. {The Zapp can go on board into the overhead locker}

The Zapp, SHOULD be able to folded one handed, most of the user reviews I have read say that it does, I guess it just takes some practice. It also stands up by itself when folded which the umbrella strollers do not.

Like you I want a travel system, so I can take the Maxi Cosi with it for cab rides.

The only other pram I am still thinking about is the Micralite. Mother Care can order them in, but I have not found any store here with a display model which puts me off buying. The advantage it has over the Zapp is that the seat does recline a little {there are 2 positions} and you can also fit a carry cot on it for a new born.
 
I have got a Quinny Zapp and the Maxi-cosi carseat for my son to use from birth up to 6 months. He's 7 months now so the carseat has outlived its usefulness, so I'm looking to sell it. If anyone is interested just drop me a pm.

Back to the subject, and not to sound too biased as a customer, but I think the Quinny is great for size and excellent turning ratio, but its got obvious drawbacks (no recline or storage space making for limited trips). We haven't had any problems with steps or slopes, but as a 3-wheeler, it does take some getting used to. Also I would consier that if you're in a less than urban environment (i.e. very little / no pavement), it may be less than ideal since the Bugaboo-types may offer better shock absorbing wheels. My son doesn't seen to mind, fortunately, and I've not test-driven any Bugaboos to compare, this is just from what I've come across from my research on the web.

cheers
 
Gidget, I 'test-drove' a Micralite when I was in England last month and I didn't think much of it at all.

For a start, it managed to be both too bulky and not sturdy enough. That is, it is a tall stroller with thin aluminum bars like an umbrella stroller, but it has these huge back wheels (as big as a Quinny Buzz's or a Bugaboo’s), which made it quite awkward to carry. I was told that the wheels come off, but the last thing you want to do when you are out and about in HK is fiddle around with the wheels! At least when the Quinny Zapp folds down you can hold it in one hand. You wouldn't be able to do this with the Micralite. It would be too long and too heavy on one end.

The handling (on the flat) was also not nearly in the same class as the Quinny or the Bugaboo. It is definitely better than some of the more plasticky travel systems I tested out, but it still feels a little shaky. I guess that is because it is so lightweight, which is fine in it's stroller form, but when fitted with the carrycot or the car seat, it seems a bit precarious to me, especially on HK’s bumpy pavements.

The seat is also like that of an umbrella stroller – there is very little padding, the back is just canvas like the back of the Quinny Zapp except the material is not as sturdy. And whilst it does recline more than a Zapp, it does not recline enough for a newborn.

It does have a basket, which is more than can be said for the Zapp, but once the seat is in place, it is impossible get anything in or out of it, which renders it a little useless.

I know it is so difficult to make any decisions based on other peoples' reviews, but those are my thoughts on the Micralite. Hope this helps somebody a little!
 
Mamamei thanks for the review on the Micro lite, that was really helpful.

Thanks for everyone else for the Zapp reviews, they helped to made up my mind.

The way I figure it with the Zapp is that it's going to work for the Maxi Cosi at first and then if I find it not suitable after that at the very least I'll have a good 'travel' pram, which I'll need anyway for flying.
 
Thank you all for your helpful thoughts and reviews!

I finally ended up buying the Quinny Zapp and MaxiCosi car seat. Having pushed them round Bumps to Babes for about three hours and then round our flat for a couple of days, I am pretty happy with my choice so far. What really clinched it for me in the end was how easily I could fit the carseat in and out of the chassis and carry both up a flight of stairs if I needed to. Big dose of confidence for a new mom who is a little intimidated by the idea od going out and about with a newborn. At the end of the day, I think it made sense for me to have a buggy that I am confident using when I am feeling most vulnerable. If I get a good eight months out of this system, I will be more than happy to trade it in for something more suitable at the time.

Good luck with all your buggy decisions!
 
Hi Mamamei, I bought one too!

I need to practice my folding and unfolding though, as some of the others in this post said, it is not as easy as it sounds!!
 
Gidget, I found the chassis folds down a lot easier once the canvas 'seat' is off. I could do it really easily in the shop so I panicked a bit when I got home and couldn't pull the bottom of the stroller into place with my foot. The minute I took the seat off, it was a piece of cake. Just keep practising, it does get easier.
 
havent managed to take the seat off the quinny zap! Any tips. What do people feel about the Maclaren or similar??
 
To remove the seat on the Zapp, first you need to undo all the latches that attach the seat to the chassis, then you need to collapse it, but not don't lock it into place. From this position, you should be able to just slip the canvas off.
 
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